Berkeley, Anthony as Francis Iles - Before the Fact (1932)

For the life of me I don't understand the book's high reputation. It's historically important, to be sure, but it simply doesn't hold up at all, and that's what the real classics are made of. But hey, Julian Symons said it's brilliant, and everyone has been repeating what he said as Gospel. To put it briefly, after a certain point, the characters become annoying and you'd gladly assist at the murder of the main character herself.

Full review: http://at-scene-of-crime.blogspot.com/2011/12/trial-by-stupidity.html

Patrick